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2011-12 S.T.E.M. - Grade 7 & 8 - UNLESS


Sr. Joy's 6th grade Math class: see below #6 for additional links for your assignment.


For an overview of the assignment, see this page from the Philadelphia Zoo. Make sure you know the difference between Malaysia and Indonesia. Palm oil production takes place in both these countries.


REMINDER: If you use music clips, be sure to follow the Fair Use guidelines (see the STEM Resources page) and make sure to cite all music on NoodleTools using the format on the NoodleTools drop down menu.


Mrs. Lannutti's Debate Links (posted 1/20)


Conservation Experts Feud Over How to Save Apes


2012 Philadelphia Zoo University UNLESS Prize


Why Saving Orangutans Matters (Philadelphia Zoo)


READ ME!!


There are a variety of sources for this assignment. Due to the currency of the topic, many of the sources can be found in publications such as newspapers and magazines, as well as on web sites. You need to examine this topic from several viewpoints. You need to consider the bias or point of view of the author or website, the currency (how recent is the information) and the credentials of the author. You also need to be aware of copyright restrictions regarding the use of music, images and YouTube. Here's where you begin your research:


1. Print sources have been reserved for this assignment. Please see the booktruck with these titles, which include books on endangered species, deforestation and the orangutan.


2. Web Path Express (on Destiny) - Provides several scientific websites on palm oil and deforestation and orangutans. Search using the keywords listed below.


3. Databases: Use the following keywords: Borneo, Sumatra, orangutans, deforestation, endangered species, palm oil, conservation. Add to this list any other keywords that you discover during research.


Tip: the key words listed above can be combined in an advanced search so that the results of your search are narrowed.


Databases to search:


  • World Book Advanced / Britannica / Grolier (including the New Book of Popular Science.) Some of the search results may also offer you additional websites.


  • Gale /UXL - There are two databases that are useful but you have to carefully structure your search. You can begin a simple keyword and / or subject search, but using the advanced search tab will most likely give you what you need. When using the advanced search screen, make sure that you select subjectas a search parameter (and not keyword). The advanced search works best when you combine terms. Example: "palm oil" and deforestation. Remember to select subject as your parameter.
    • Infotrac (Gale / UXL) - Use advanced searching and combine term given above as an example. Also try: orangutans and endangered. Tip: Pay attention to the related searches on the left side menu that appear when your find your articles. This will either broaden or narrow your search and lead you to additional information. Infotrac is a periodical / newspaper database and it will provide current, up to date information. Note the original source and publication date.
    • Gale Student Resource Center Junior (not Student Resource Center) - As noted above, use the advanced search screen and combine search terms. Tip: Note the "Related Subjects" on the left side menu. Example: using the terms: orangutan and endangered - will lead you to 22 Related Subject hits under the subject "protection and preservation." To find the most current information on these topics you will need to access the News tab or the Journals tab. A simple search will work for some of the keywords.
  • Image Quest - Use this photo database for images. Images may also be downloaded from database articles in encyclopedias, etc. Use ImageQuest source citation sheet and follow path on back of citation sheet.


  • SIRS Discoverer - SIRS can be accessed via the PowerLibrary database link on the Destiny homepage. SIRS is a collection of news articles on specific topics. It also includes brief encyclopedia and almanac articles. These are not as useful. Look at the source information on SIRS, which will tell you the in which publication the information originally appeared. SIRS is available in school. To use SIRS at home, you will need a public library card. At home, you can access SIRS via your public library's website.


  • Marshall Cavendish Science Reference Center - (also available in print reference)


4. Websites: In addition to the websites provided by Destiny's Web Path Express, use the links below to locate additional information. Use Form E to cite these sources.


American Palm Oil Council - Details the benefits of palm oil, sustainable practices and environmental issues.


Borneo Orangutan Survival - Includes information on orangutan preservation and palm oil free alterntives.


Cruel Oil: How Palm Oil Harms Health, Rainforests and Wildlife - This is a pdf report written in 2005 by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.


Defenders of Wildlife - Part of a larger site, this page provides information on the legal status of orangutans. There is also information on habitat conservation.


Deforestation for Palm Oil - This site, sponsored by Greenpeace, looks at the effects of palm oil production.


Earth's Endangered Species - This website identifies and profiles endangered animals worldwide.


Greenpeace - From Greenpeace, this is a briefing on Sinar Mas, an Indonesian palm oil production company. (note: As of 12/14, this link appears to be a dead-end. May need to search the Greenpeace site for the briefing. Search "palm oil" on the Greenpeace home pageto see recent news releases on deforestation due to palm oil production and "orangutan" for information on endangered status. Also from Greenpeace:Sinar Mas - How Nestle's endangers orangutans (added 12/14)


Guardian Environment Network - This article from the British newspaper The Guardian notes a conflict between countries that will buy palm oil from sustainable plantations as opposed to those plantations that are not.


Malaysian Palm Oil Council - Pull down menus provide information on palm oil and its production.


Malaysian Palm Oil Wildlife Conservation Fund - Counters the claim that the industry has been accused of unsustainable practices.


Orangutan Foundation - This website is dedicated to support the conservation, protection, and understanding of orangutans and their rain forest habitat. Also includes a Facebook page.


Orangutan Outreach - NEW!!! (1/6/12) Adopt an orangutan...or just learn about orangutans and the organization that works to protect them.

Rainforest Action Network - Includes "Problems with Palm Oil Factsheet" as well as other information on protecting rainforests.


Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil - Use the "About RSPO" pull down menu to learn about sustainable palm oil and the vision and mission statement of RSPO.


Scientific American - Magazine article raises questions concerning the harvesting of palm oil and threats to the environment.


Sumatran Forest - Excellent site with Google Earth maps showing the rate of deforestation over the decade. This links directly to the graphs / maps but be sure to investigate the other information on this website.


Wildlife Direction Orangutan Foundation - This blog focuses on orangutan rescue and rehabilitation.


World Wildlife Foundation - This website provides a conservation overview and a species finder.


5. Videos - YouTube

Documentary on Sustainability of Palm Oil Plantations-


Endangered Orangutans of Borneo - Includes facts and figures relating to extinction.


Forests - The Palm Oil Threat


Sumatran Orangutans - Critically Endangered - Shows how citizens of Indonesia are trying to protect orangutans and the rain forest. This page from the website mentioned in the video provides more information. Note the Islamic teachings on the protection of natural resources.


6. " Production links" - Use these Fair Use links to access music, videos, sound effects, images (Remember to use Image Quest). This link can also be found on the wiki's S.T.E.M. Resources page.


Sr. Joy 6th Grade Math links

Links above may also be used


Fedepalma - Bilingual site with economic information. Charts are English / Spanish.


Green Palm Sustainablity-Includes information on a program that addresses environmental and social problems created by the production of palm oil.


Ministry of Trade - Indonesia - 2007 publication showing the growth of the palm oil industry. Charts and statistics are included.


The Nation - New periodical dated Nov. 18, 2011 which discusses Pakistan's increase in palm oil imports.


Palm Oil Campaign - Read this to find out what products use palm oil. Also includes information on European Palm Oil legislation.


Palm Oil Factsheets - Provides statistics and charts detailing the growth of palm oil use.


Palm Oil Free - Planet Ark's to stop deforestation in South-east Asia.


Palm Oil Information - Includes price of palm oil and other statistics


Malaysian Palm Oil Board - This page provides information on the economics and industrial development. Go to the Home page for additional information.


Say No to Palm Oil - Lists additional names (ingredients) that are used for palm oil


U.S.D.A. Foreign Agricultural Service - Information current as of 2007; provides long-range forecasting of palm oil production.









2010 - Grade 8 - S.T.E.M. iMovie


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Task: Working with a partner, create a movie that shows the dichotomy of a social justice issue.

iLife Project instructions and rubric (2).pdf

iMovie S.T.E.M. resources


Topic Selection


1. Health care and health issues: What are essential human rights?

2. Immigration: legal and illegal / political asylum / economic asylum Specific websites for this topic are listed below.

3. Poverty: welfare and options for the poor

4. Labor issues: unemployment / fair and safe working conditions / child labor / fair (minimum) wages

5. Capital punishment

6. Housing issues / homelessness

7. Global warming: impact on species, including ourselves

8. Responsible use of natural resources

9. Arms control: nuclear weapons / landmines / torture / current wars / "just war" theory (Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea)

10. Bioethical issues: stem cells / right to life / assisted suicide

11. Charitable obligation: should we help other nations? Should service be mandatory?


Sources


Print - See the book truck for the books that have been pulled for this assignment. They are also listed on Destiny. See the Resources List on the catalog menu and select the "Public Lists" tab and select "Social Justice". Also searchable from the Visual Catalog: Social Justice. These titles will give background information and history of your topic but may not be able to provide up to the minute, current information.


Databases


EBSCO - This magazine and newspaper index will provide current information. Limit your search by date. There are several databases to select from: MAS, Middle Search Plus and the newspaper index.


Gale Student Resource Center Junior - On your results, select the Magazine / News tab for current information. The Books tab will give you background information.

Also on the Gale interface (below the Gale Virtual Reference Library link) is Infotrac - a newspaper database, which will also provide current information.


SIRS - will provide current information under the Newspaper and Magazine tabs.


Encyclopedia databases may be used. Some may provide web links to the topic.


Internet


WebPath Express - Internet search engine link is on the left menu of the Destiny catalog. Use WebPath Express instead of Google. You can also link to WebPath Express from the subject heading of Destiny book searches.


United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Includes church documents and link to social justice issues.


Immigration Links

The Dream Act - Fox News story concerning passage of a bill that permits undocumented teens to become American citizens.

Arizona Immigration - A federal judge blocks parts of the Arizona Immigration policy.

Enforcement Issues - Article discussing legal fees that must be paid by city of Hazleton, Pa, as a result of anti-immigration law.


The fine print: A Works Consulted is required.













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Grade 7 STEM iMovie


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Task: Working with a partner, create a movie that shows the dichotomy of the ecological, economic, and ethical issues regarding a certain type of energy.


iMovie S.T.E.M. resources

Types of energy sources to be considered:


Non-renewable:
Fossil Fuels
1. Petroleum
2. Coal
3. Natural gas

Renewable:
4. Tidal / Wave
5. Hydroelectric
6. Solar
7. Wind
8. Geothermal
10. Biomass (ethanol)

Other:

11. Nuclear

Library Class - Research your assigned topic to find out the ecological, economic, and ethical issues related to your energy source. No energy source is perfect; you will be taking a pro/con approach.

Sources available


Databases


Marshall Cavendish - will provide an explanation of the energy source.They will not provide much information on the current status of these topics.

Gale Student Resource Center Junior - will provide both a scientific explanation (Reference tab) and current status (News /Magazines tab)

Gale - Infotrac Newspapers (listed below the Virtual Reference Library on the menu page) - Will provide current status.

SIRS - will provide current information in both magazines and newspapers. Select appropriate tabs.

EBSCO - will provide current information in magazines and newspapers. You will need to select your database and you can filter your results or limit them by date.

Print


Check the Destiny card catalog. Search the Resource List option on the left menu and then select "Public List" and find Energy Sources. Also searchable on the Visual Catalog: Energy Sources. Most information will be in the reference collection, including the Science references. Be sure to see Weather and Climate on File: Section 9: Human Impacts on Climate.

Internet


WebPath Express - Use this search engine instead of Google. You can access it either from the left menu on Destiny or directly from a title/subject/keyword search.

U. S. Department of Energy - DOE site discusses the various types of energy sources, efficiency, effect on the environment, as well as other topics.
Next Generation Power & Energy - Read the "About" tab to understand this website's point of view. Use the News and Magazine tabs, and the featured article, if it pertains to any of the topics listed above.

The fine print: A Works Consulted (not annotated) is also required.